HC dismisses petition on Sonia's disqualification

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition seeking disqualification of Sonia Gandhi as MP for accepting a title conferred by the Belgium government.

A bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice S Murlidhar dismissed the petition filed by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy seeking direction to the Election Commission to hold an inquiry against Gandhi. "Proper inquiry has not been held in the case. It seems that government is trying to hide something and impression must go to the public that no one is above law," Swamy said.

The court, however, was not satisfied and said that Election Commission has analysed the case and there is no question of further inquiry. "We have to see that there is an element of merit in it. From this material, we find it difficult to agree with you. Even in differing opinion of election commissioners (on the issue) we find no merit in it," the bench said.

Gandhi was conferred the 'Order of Leopold', the second highest civilian award of Belgium, and an honorary doctorate, during her visit to that country in November, 2006.